Application for device evaluation and other processes associated with device recycling

Abstract

Software application systems and associated methods for recycling, purchasing, and/or performing other processes with mobile phones, tablet computers, laptop computers, and/or other electronic devices at a kiosk are described herein. In various embodiments, the present technology includes systems and methods associated with an electronic device to facilitate a consumer-operated kiosk processing (e.g., purchasing) the electronic device. In some embodiments, the present technology includes using a mobile app to identify an electronic device, evaluate the electronic device, resolve device issues to enable purchase of the electronic device, etc. Various other aspects of the present technology are described herein.

We claim: 
     
       1. At least one computer-readable memory carrying computer-executable instructions for causing one or more processors to facilitate purchasing an electronic device at a consumer-operated kiosk, the computer-executable instructions comprising:
 instructions that, when executed by a processor of the electronic device:
 automatically obtain characteristic information about the electronic device; 
 determine a price for the electronic device factoring in the characteristic information; and 
 present the price to a user of the electronic device; and 
 
 instructions that, when executed by a processor of the kiosk:
 identify the price presented to the user; and 
 offer to purchase the electronic device for the price. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The computer-readable memory of  claim 1  wherein the instructions that automatically obtain characteristic information about the electronic device include instructions that obtain at least a unique identifier for the electronic device, and further comprising instructions that, when executed by the processor of the kiosk:
 receive the unique identifier for the electronic device; and 
 identify the electronic device and the price based on the unique identifier for the electronic device. 
 
     
     
       3. The computer-readable memory of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 instructions that, when executed by the processor of the electronic device:
 associate an identifier with the electronic device; and 
 
 instructions that, when executed by the processor of the kiosk:
 receive the identifier associated with the electronic device; and 
 identify the electronic device and the price based on the identifier associated with the electronic device. 
 
 
     
     
       4. The computer-readable memory of  claim 1  wherein automatically obtaining characteristic information about the electronic device includes identifying a make, model or hardware configuration of the electronic device. 
     
     
       5. The computer-readable memory of  claim 1  wherein the electronic device is a mobile phone having a make, model, storage capacity, and carrier, and wherein automatically obtaining characteristic information about the electronic device includes identifying at least one of the make, model, storage capacity, and carrier of the electronic device. 
     
     
       6. The computer-readable memory of  claim 1  wherein the electronic device is a mobile phone having a make, model, storage capacity, and carrier, and wherein automatically obtaining characteristic information about the electronic device includes identifying each of the make, model, storage capacity, and carrier of the electronic device. 
     
     
       7. The computer-readable memory of  claim 1  wherein automatically obtaining characteristic information about the electronic device includes obtaining a unique identifier for the electronic device and parsing the unique identifier of the electronic device to determine a make or model of the electronic device. 
     
     
       8. The computer-readable memory of  claim 1 , further comprising instructions that, when executed by the processor of the electronic device, evaluate the condition of the electronic device based on the characteristic information, and wherein determining the price is based at least in part on the evaluation. 
     
     
       9. The computer-readable memory of  claim 1 , further comprising instructions that, when executed by the processor of the electronic device, determine whether the characteristic information is sufficient to identify the presence or absence of an issue affecting the electronic device's operation, value, or ability to be resold. 
     
     
       10. The computer-readable memory of  claim 1 , further comprising instructions that, when executed by the processor of the electronic device, determine whether the electronic device is associated with a remote user account. 
     
     
       11. The computer-readable memory of  claim 1 , further comprising instructions that, when executed by the processor of the electronic device, determine whether the characteristic information is sufficient to identify whether the electronic device is associated with a remote user account. 
     
     
       12. The computer-readable memory of  claim 1 , further comprising instructions that, when executed by the processor of the electronic device, determine whether the characteristic information is sufficient to identify whether the electronic device is associated with a remote user account that includes a device control feature. 
     
     
       13. The computer-readable memory of  claim 1  wherein determining the price for the electronic device includes:
 transmitting the characteristic information to a remote server; and 
 receiving the price for the electronic device from the remote server. 
 
     
     
       14. The computer-readable memory of  claim 1  wherein determining the price for the electronic device includes determining a price that is contingent on a visual analysis of the electronic device at the kiosk.